Dealing with Diabetes Fatigue

Tiredness and a lack of energy associated with diabetes fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes.

Although you might feel tired from time to time, especially if you have been ill or haven't gotten enough rest, fatigue is a completely different story. You might have a lack of energy, a general feeling of tiredness, and the inability to concentrate.

Fatigue associated with diabetes is generally due to an imbalance of blood sugar. Your cells rely on sugar for fuel and energy. Insulin, a hormone, controls the sugar distribution throughout your body. However, when you have diabetes, your cells aren't using the sugar the way that they need to. As a result, you're not getting the energy that you need, and diabetes fatigue can result.

In order to combat diabetes fatigue, you have to get your blood sugar back to healthy levels. Sometimes, in mild cases of diabetes, this can be done naturally. You can lower your cholesterol by eating a well-balanced diet, and lower your blood pressure by exercise and dropping excess weight. However, in more serious cases of diabetes, you might need insulin in order to regulate your blood sugar, at least in the short term until your body begins to heal itself.

There are some ways to naturally help with diabetes fatigue. Staying active and getting exercise might sound difficult if you feel tired, but it is a good way of keeping your energy stable. Try going for short walks during the day, or even doing light housework. However, don't exercise close to bedtime as this can actually impair sleep and make it more difficult for you to rest.

In addition, it is important to eat a well-balanced diet that contains a lot of leafy green vegetables, fruits, and protein, which is a good source of energy. You might want to start taking whole food supplements, although you may want to check with your health care practitioner to ensure that nothing will react negatively with any diabetes medication that you might be taking.

Sometimes, you might feel as though you can't make it through the day without taking a nap. If you do feel as though you need a nap during the day, try to take one that isn't more than 30 to 45 minutes long; anything longer than that and you are likely to wake up feeling sluggish and even more tired. Also, try not to take a nap close to bedtime. Instead, try turning in earlier in the evening. If you nap late into the evening, you might have trouble falling back asleep. Not being to rest well at night will worsen diabetes fatigue the next day.

Indeed, getting enough sleep at night is very important in fighting diabetes fatigue. Sleep can play a major role in your overall health and shouldn't be taken lightly. Try taking a warm bath before bedtime. Do not get on the computer right before bed, and try to stay away from stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine, and foods that are high in sugar.

If you drink caffeine, then do so in moderation. Although caffeine is a stimulant, your body can come to depend on it and your energy level can "crash" when the caffeine wears off. Stick with decaffeinated tea and coffee. Better still, drink only clean water, herbal teas and fresh juices (watch the sugar content, though).

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